Rugby Players to Watch in the End of Year Tours

There are always key players, whether it is a World Cup, Tri Nations, Six Nations, or End of Year campaign.

We take a look at some men who will look to make their presence known on the world stage, further cement reputations, or attempt to come back to the heights they have risen to before.

Jonny Wilkinson, England/Toulon

The England kingpin has been given a new lease of life at Toulon, with the adoration all beginning when over 5,000 locals came to watch the Top 14 side's first training run, most of whom were there to see the a man who is one of the greatest No. 10s the game has ever seen. 

While it was sad to see the World Cup winner wane from 2004, suffering a litany of injuries, the world record holder for test points has been his old self playing for Mourad Boudjellal’s French side, and his call up to England’s squad is the first time since the 2008 Six Nations he has been required. 

Some still grimace with his physical commitment to the game, especially on defence, but with a crippled England lurching into Twickenham, he will likely be Martin Johnson’s saviour in the coming weeks.

Digby Ioane, Australia/Queensland

The Wellington-born Ioane attended St. Joseph’s College in Brisbane, where after playing in the school's first XV and local side Sunnybank, went on to move through the Australian rugby system, playing for the school boys, Under 19’s, and Under 21’s teams.

While he was called into the Wallabies at the end of 2005, and played with the Western Force for two years following that, it was this year that he truly made his mark playing in his second year for the Queensland Reds.

Despite missing games through injury, Ioane finished the Super 14 season in the top three for line breaks, running metres and broken tackles.

His matches this tour will be his first since the Super 14 ended, but he is a genuine X-factor player that the Wallabies desperately need.

With none of the Australian three quarters—bar perhaps young James O’Connor earlier—making a mark in a average test season, Ioane’s scintillating and aggressive runs could be the tonic the Wallabies need.

Dan Carter, New Zealand/Canterbury

Cometh the man, cometh the hour! Carter is now back to full fitness, having recovered from his Perpignan-inflicted injury, and has made an instant impact to both Canterbury and the All Blacks in his brief time back.

In the next two years, the All Black standoff has the ability and opportunity to cement himself as being one of the most utmost players of all time, a judgment path that will end in late 2011, where it is quite simple—he must guide New Zealand to World Cup success to be feted as such.

Considered by many critics as the best all-round pivot the game has seen, it will be crucial for Carter to control the All Blacks game, especially with strike players, but few organisers outside of him. A sweep of the North in the coming weeks will have New Zealand in good stead for the crucial upcoming years. 

Jamie Roberts, Wales/Cardiff Blues

With other Welsh backline linchpins unavailable, namely Lee Byrne and Mike Phillips, a huge test awaits the 22-year-old centre, who will be the man in which the Red Dragons need to place so much expectation on, considering that he is likely to have an aging backline around him.

While he rose to prominence with an outstanding series for the Lions in South Africa, another test for the Cardiff Blues back (who has played test rugby at wing and fullback) will be adjusting to life without Brian.

With O’Driscoll, he formed one of the most potent midfields ever seen in the North, and without the Irish magician on his shoulder, his responsibilities will increase dramatically.

With Wales and Roberts coming up against the likes of Ma’a Nonu, Berrick Barnes, a likely punishing Samoan centre due, and having Puma forwards running through the midfield, we shall see if the 2009 Lions-player-of-the-series has what it takes to be one of Wales’ great players.

Frederic Michalak, France/Toulouse

The flamboyant playmaker has been called back into the French squad after playing his last test against Italy. Michalak made his debut for Les Bleus way back in 2001, and he has had varying levels of popularity, if not on the rugby field, then off it being regarded as a poster boy for various niches. 

He has made his impact, starring in Toulouse’s French championship in 2001, their Heineken Cup wins, as well as France’s Six Nations triumphs in 2004 and 2006.

He also finished the 2003 World Cup only 12 points behind Wilkinson as leading points scorer, and made the key break which led to a French try and their defeat of the All Blacks in the 2007 World Cup.

After playing for the Natal Sharks, and since re-joining Toulouse, his selection came with this comment from Marc Lievremont: “we are still waiting for him to confirm his potential even though he has 50 caps for France.”

With Les Bleus first choice No. 10, Lionel Beauxis, injured, Michalak has his chance to cement his place with tests against South Africa, Samoa and New Zealand.

Johnathan Sexton, Ireland/Leinster

With no disrespect to one of the stalwarts of the Irish team, many believe that Ronan O’Gara will not be part of the 2011 tilt at the World Cup (he will be 34).

And with Irish rugby probably in the best shape in has ever been, much depends on the Six Nations champions having a playmaker who can guide their team and that will be around for a long time.

Enter the young Leinster playmaker.

Sexton is being recognised as the heir apparent to O’Gara, and there represents no greater opportunity to fast-track his development than putting him up against the Springboks and Wallabies in coming weeks.

While the 92-test capped O’Gara has been all but untouchable as the starting 10, and as a tactical kicker, Sexton has improved his kicking from hand and been in strong form for the Heineken Cup champions.

However, Sexton is an attacking back with good defence, and this extra dimension could be the final equation that allows the Emerald Isle to remain at rugby’s summit. 

Morne Steyn, South Africa/Blue Bulls

Steyn’s dramatic impact on the global scene this year has seen him net a Super 14 trophy, a Tri Nations crown and a Currie Cup, and it is fair to say that he had a huge part to play in the success of all these achievements.

His achievements have been more prominent for the fact that the Springboks haven’t had a first five take complete ownership of the position over the years, and that his core weapon (his kicking boot) is suited to the style that the South Africans are playing in 2009.

This end of year tour, with France, Italy and Ireland on the agenda, will be an interesting test for the No. 10, with Steyn coming up against three very different styles to what he faced in the Tri Nations and Currie Cup.

Is he a flash in the pan, or beginning to be the first man to challenge Naas Botha as the greatest boot ever for the Springboks?